Thank you to Legend for Remembering John Rostill

[donna plasky]

As a John Rostill fan, I'd like to offer my sincere thanks to "Legend" for remembering John and dedicating this song to him at Shadowmania 2012. It was beautiful. And thank you also to Phil McGarrick for recording and uploading this video and the many others. It means so much to those of us who were unable to be there...thank you again.

Kind regards,
Donna

[StuartD]

John was the Man!! And Chris has got his sound off to a tee!!

Regards

Stuart

[JimN]

John was the Man!! And Chris has got his sound off to a tee!!

And most of his appearance!

I know that Yaeko (from Tokyo, and a huge Burns-era fan) was bowled over when she first saw Legend at the Bonnington in 2004.

Once I knew that Yaeko was coming (she was in Britain for the Shads' 2004 tour) and knowing her liking for the Rostill period, I was determined to get Legend on to the bill. We even did Thunderbirds with me guesting on the Bass VI...

JN

[martcaster]

Chris & I met John in 1967 and, like many others on this site, found him to be charming and very approachable. As Stuart says, CJ certainly is The Man, and sitting behind him when we do those archetypal Rostill/Bennett lines is as damned near as anyone's going to get. It was therefore a pleasure and a pre-requisite that we should acknowledge John's vast contribution to That Other Sound. We used to do Waiting For Rosie with David doing both lead parts at once (with one hand tied behind his back!) but we could do any one of John's many compositions for The Shads and all would be equally appropriate. It's great to know that that contribution to The Shads' history is so fondly remembered by so many of us. B.T.W Jim, isn't it time that Bonnington gig appeared on YouTube? I can't remember if Ray recorded it. If not, Terry has a video; Ill ask him if we can use it.
Love to all,
Mart.

[JimN]

Ray video-records everything.

JN

[StuartD]

I remember you doing Thunderbirds with them Jim. Wish I could have been there!!

Stu

[donna plasky]

Hello. JimN is exactly right -- Chris looks like John, especially in his overall posture while playing...and also the way he plucks a string and then lifts his hand up-and-away. I hope John's son might see a few of these videos, as part of his father's legacy.

I did a quick internet search for photos and found two of John that I've posted below. One is a group called "Zoot Money" in which (according to Wikipedia) John played briefly before joining the Shadows. There is no caption with the photo and I don't know for certain that John is in the photo, but I was thinking that's John in the lower right corner. The other photo is from Tom Jones' website. I was curious if there was a change in dress code when going from The Shadows to the Tom Jones Band.

Kind regards,
Donna

Zoot Money with John Rostill.jpg (16.67 KiB) Viewed 5172 times

JR with Tom Jones.jpg (4.43 KiB) Viewed 5187 times

[StuartD]

Hi Donna

The last time John played with the Shadows, in June 1970 at the opening week of the Sheffield Fiesta Club, he looked exactly like that. His hair had grown and he had the beard!! I remember him wearing a suede jacket with tassels on it!! Underneath though it was still the same John. Just the nicest guy you would ever wish to meet.

Regards

Stuart

[cdma1014]

Yes, Jim is right and I remembered you played "Thunderbirds Are Go".
I was most impressed by Legend in the Bonnington on 13 June, 2004.
I was absolutely fascinated with their tones and they brought me back to Burns-era Shadow Music
and Chris' bass recalled me John Rostill.

I have seen all concerts on 1969 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Japan Tour.
As I was a follower of Cliff(still a follower of Cliff), I travelled in Japan with Cliff and his band members.
I have many chances to meet them in their hotels, on the trains,etc.
If my memory serves me correctly, John was as tall as Cliff and was very
handsome.

John also wrote many good songs for Cliff and I do like a song called "Girl On The Bus"
in "Established 1958".
Every time when I was in England and saw the bus there, I think nothing has been changed
since John has written this song.

The other day I found this video clip on YT.
John Rostill - Farawell To A Friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwA_Vzg5WXI

Best wishes,
Yaeko from Tokyo, Japan

[donna plasky]

Hello, Yaeko. I am very happy to meet you, and I hope the video below brings back many nice memories for you. The second video is "Girl on the Bus" and it has a few nice photos of John. The third video has a very enjoyable performance of "The Magical Mrs. Clamps" at the 6:00 mark. You can hear John's voice as Mrs. Clamps.

Kind regards,
Donna